The Osceola times., 1887-12-10
"what's the objection to ma ."

| walks
"1ou undertake too much" said the
drummer, shaking his head with gentle
persuasiyeness. "The store and post
Office and station and the neighborhood
will accumulate, and be too MANY for
you"
Beetrus saw him sauntering on her
track. The blood was buzzing in her
head, and she hid herself upon pile
OF steep high rocks, obrying some wild
impulse of which she felt ashamed. To
follow him with her eyes and be herself
invisible was an impersonal ~pture in
which she could indulge without giving
1t too great advantage Yet, when he
disappeared near the river, she felt a
singing check in her heart. and a sense
of having inflicted loss and robbery up
on herself
To Beetrus he was the walking es-
scnce Of the world. representing not
only It's mighty business, but il, adyan-
tagcs Of culture and travel. She never
had been from home except to Evans
vile and New Harmony; and be never
,taid two nights in a place, and spoke
with fatigue of his exciting life What
operas he had seenl-for in Beetrus'
chaotic Imagination all theatrical per-
formance was opera, and operas were
the distinct possessions of the wealthy.
She resented with a mixture Of awe
and daring the greatness Of his rpla-
tiycs. He was a nephew of the head Of
his commercial house, and his grand
father had been a Congressman; while
her background was the pioneers 5
cabin, the pecan woods, and Wabash
rocks and hills.
Bcctrus was the child of shrewd
though noycl-soakcd mother, who had
lowered her with something more than
q mispronounccd fine name and biassed
Imagination. 1t is strange TO think
how large a human mass, moving this
instant in grooves of practical action,
is protesting with secret scorn against
all its conditions. Beetrus was full Of
u girls uurests and eccentric impulses.
She thought she knew exactly what she
wanted for her happiness, the con-
dcn,cd statement of which would have
been to have the whole globe placed in
her lap, ticketed simply Reward of
merit
She pressed her cheek against the
rock linchens, taking half-inyerted
view of the autumn tangle, and glad in
spite Of herself for the pleasant breath
of life. 1t was worth while TO be nars
of such woods and river vistds, and TO
smell all the grounds odors. Some
little living thing ran along log not
far from her; and she could hear a
squirrel bark, a whish and whisper of
loosened leaves as they were sent
adrift, and then the dropping of a nut
Stong as the sunlight was, she shiyered
upon the rocks. and then felt all her
blood burn, beat, and tremble. The
commercial traveller was walking back
with brisk step from the river, and
scanning every opening among the
trees. rs if on an eager search. He
saw Bectrus rising and tightening her
pink shawl on her shoulders, and halted
with jerk.
where have you beenp" was his un-
cercmonious exclamation.
"Up here, reading my letters and
viewing the country
you saw me 90 past, then, didn't
you?'
"Was it you?' said she, fitting her
foot dpftly to the steep descent.
Let me lift you down. How pretty
you look this morning.
"Ohl don't talk about pretty Mr..
Pouudstonc," said Beetrus, dyed in
color after he had stood her upon the
moss, and dazcd as she always was by
hi, prevailing presence.
"You oughtn't to have hid; | want
to talk up a scheme with you right of.
1t popped into my head since ] got off
the train.
"What scheme?" said Beetrus, hug
giug her shawl and looking over her
shoulder to simulate complete indif-
ference.
You know well enough, or can guess.
We mustn't be parted, my dear girl; |
can run up to New Harmony every
time | make a trip down this way.
Think of the long winter. Don't You
want TO see me this winter?'
"Oh-ycs, she admitted with a
gasp.
II want to see you. want to have
you entirely to myself, to look forward
TO every time ! come in off the road.
Lets get married ~
Bcctrus visibly expanded and con-
tracted with a great breath.
Get on the train and 90 over TO Ev-
ansville with me, and we'll have the
minister tie the knot there. Then
home. And nice little private set of
rooms. all quiet and to ourselves, and
no relations TO bother us
But mas fixed things TO go up to
New Harmony for the winter, whs-
pered Beetrus, struggling with this
vision. "And she wouldn't change her
mipd so suddenly-'specially as she
doesn't know you real well. v
alt isn't ma ! want to marry, ar
gued Poundstone, using his winning
smile. I'm drop my relations and
You can surely do the same.
drop mam
"Lcave her little while. Let her
90 up to New Harmony, you know